The Babies of Walloon

by Henry Lawson

　　That “pre-eminence in sorrow” of the Majesty he served,

　　But as dear to him and precious were the gifts reclaimed so soon—

　　Were the workman’s little daughters who were buried near Walloon.

　　Speak their names in tones that linger, just as though you held them dear;

　　There are eyes to which the mention of those names will bring a tear.

　　Little Kate and Bridget, straying in an autumn afternoon,

　　Were attracted by the lilies in the water of Walloon.

　　All is dark to us. The angels sing perhaps in Paradise

　　Of the younger sister’s danger, and the elder’s sacrifice;

　　But the facts were hidden from us, when the soft light from the moon

　　Glistened on the water-lilies o’er the Babies at Walloon.

　　Ah! the children love the lilies, while we elders are inclined

　　To the flowers that have poison for the body and the mind.

　　Better for the “strongly human” to have done with life as soon,

　　Better perish for a lily like the Babies of Walloon.

　　For they gather flowers early on the river far away,

　　Where the everlasting lilies keep their purity for aye,

　　And while summer brings our lilies to the run and the lagoon

　　May our children keep the legend of the Babies of Walloon.